Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

What is the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa?

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa is a subcategory of the UK Standard Visitor Visa designed for professionals invited by a UK-based organisation or client to participate in a prearranged event or engagement. This visa allows you to engage in paid activities relevant to your expertise, making it an ideal option for short-term professional visits.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors may also undertake other activities permitted under other Visitor routes but are not allowed to study or transit.

This visa does not lead to settlement in the UK nor permit extended periods or frequent successive visits.

Validity Period and Conditions

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa allows stays in the UK for up to six months, but the paid engagement must be concluded within 30 days.

Restrictions and Limitations

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa comes with several restrictions and limitations, including:

• Performing specific paid work unrelated to the applicant’s job or expertise is prohibited.
• Working for multiple employers is not allowed.
• Extending the visa is also not allowed.

This visa cannot be used for prolonged stays or frequent successive visits. You cannot switch to another visa, and entering into a marriage or civil partnership while on this visa is prohibited.

Types of Qualifying Paid Engagements

Professional Artists, Entertainers, and Musicians

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa is applicable to professional artists, entertainers, and musicians, among others. This includes professional artist roles such as:

• Poets
• Make-up artists
• Stylists
• Set designers
• Photographers
• Fashion models

These individuals can be invited to participate in activities directly related to their profession through a formal invitation. To qualify for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, applicants must be invited by a UK-based creative organisation, agent, or broadcaster. These invitations must come from entities directly involved in artistic and entertainment activities.

Applicants must show they are established in their home country through published work, media coverage, or awards. The required documentation includes publicity material for various events such as performances, screenings, concerts, talks, and exhibitions. It also includes proof of recent performances, media coverage, reviews, and awards.

Examples of inviting organisations include galleries, arts faculties or departments at universities and schools, and venues that stage or produce events. Cultural events conducted by embassies are also eligible. Agents and broadcasters based in the UK can invite individuals to undertake paid engagements.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visas are unavailable to personal assistants, technical or support staff, or production team members of a professional artist, entertainer, or musician. However, if they meet the respective requirements, these individuals may be eligible to enter the UK via a Creative Visit Visa or a Temporary Work—Creative Worker visa.

Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa to perform the following activities related to their profession:

• Performing
• Presenting or launching their work to the public or other professionals
• Attending professional conferences
• Joining debating or judging panels

Professional Sportspersons

Professional athletes engaged in paid activities related to their profession in the UK are eligible for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. This visa allows them to participate in sporting events and competitions within the UK during a 30-day period. This includes participating in professional sports activities, giving interviews, signing or discussing contracts, and attending meetings related to their profession.

To qualify for the visa, sportspersons must:

• Be invited by a UK-based sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster. A sports organization includes any organization involved in organizing or staging sporting events or matches.
• Demonstrate they are established in their home country through proof of recent performances, awards, and media coverage. Documentary evidence required includes proof of recent participation in sporting events, awards received, and media coverage.

This ensures that the athlete is acknowledged as a professional sportsperson and fulfils the necessary criteria for the visa.

Qualified Lawyers

Qualified lawyers may receive invitations from UK clients to advocate for court or tribunal hearings, arbitrations, and other legal proceedings. This invitation makes the lawyers eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa (PPE Visa). This includes representing clients in UK court or tribunal hearings, preparing for hearings, and handling other forms of dispute resolution, such as arbitration and mediation.

Lawyers must provide the following documentation as part of their application to the Home Office:

• Confirmation of their right to audience or ‘temporary call.’
• An invitation from their client.
• A practising certificate or certificate of good standing.

Designated Air Pilot Examiner

Overseas designated pilot examiners can utilize the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visit Visa route to travel to the UK and assess UK-based pilots. This assessment ensures that the pilots meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of the examiner’s home country.

In order to qualify for this, the following conditions must be satisfied:

• Invitation: The examiner must be invited by an approved training organisation based in the UK, which must be regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
• Employment: The examiner must demonstrate that they are employed full-time by the national aviation authority in their home country.

These measures ensure that UK-based pilots are evaluated against international standards, maintaining high aviation safety and compliance levels.

Conference Speakers

If you are a speaker planning to visit the UK for a one-off or short series of talks and speeches, you may be eligible to apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. This visa is specifically designed for those invited to participate in conferences or other events where they will be paid for their contributions.

To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Invitation by Organiser: You must have an official invitation from the seminar, conference, or event organiser in the UK.
• Relevance to Profession: The event should be relevant to your professional work or area of expertise in your home country.

By meeting these requirements, you can share your knowledge and expertise at UK events, contributing to the professional exchange of ideas and information.

Academic Examiners or Assessors

Academics highly qualified in their expertise can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa if invited to the UK to examine students, participate in, or chair selection panels.

Guest Lecturers

Guest lecturers can apply to give a lecture or series of lectures in their area of expertise. To be eligible, they must:

• Be invited by a UK-based higher education institution, research organization, or arts organization.
• Provide evidence demonstrating their expertise, such as a letter from their employer, examples of published work, or proof of previous lectures.
• Be earning an income from giving regular lectures and not be retired.

If lecturing in a subject not related to their current role, they must provide:

• Evidence of previous employment or posts in the area.
• Relevant publications.
• Other recognized qualifications.

The invitation must not equate to filling a teaching position.

Eligibility and Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Demonstrate expertise in your profession
• Show that your engagement in the UK relates to your expertise, qualifications, and primary job in your home country.

Financial Requirements for the Visa

Applicants should possess sufficient funds to cover their accommodation, living costs, and return transportation without depending on UK public funds or services. This ensures you will not need public assistance during your stay.

Bank statements or payslips showing you have enough money to support yourself during your stay can be evidence of sufficient funds. Funds must be held in a permitted financial institution.

A third party can cover your travel, living, and accommodation expenses if they have a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, comply with immigration rules, and can support you during your stay as a visitor.

Demonstrate Intent to Leave the UK

You must demonstrate a clear intention to depart the UK at the end of your visit. A visa officer may deny your application if you do not show a clear intention to return home by demonstrating close family ties, financial and economic ties (e.g. property ownership), or a job.

Required Documentation

To apply for this visa, you will require the following:

• A valid passport
• Proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay
• A written invitation from a UK-based organization or client for a prearranged event
• The intention to leave the UK at the end of the visa period

To apply for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, applicants must provide a written invitation from a UK-based organization or client for a prearranged event. Applicants must also demonstrate their expertise in their profession.

Proof of professional status is necessary for the application, which could include invitations from UK-based organisations. Specific document requirements for guest lecturers or foreign examiners include evidence of professional status.

Application Fees

The Home Office application fee for this visa is currently £115.

Processing Time

A UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa typically takes up to 3 weeks to process.

How to Apply for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

Before travelling to the UK, it is essential to apply online and attend an appointment at a visa application centre. The earliest you can apply is three months before your travel date. If you are applying with family members, each person must submit their application, pay the fee, and attend their appointment.

• Check & Gather Documents: Ensure you meet the visa requirements and obtain any required invitation letters or documentation.
• Complete the Online Application: Fill out the visa application form on the official government website.
• Pay the Fee: Pay the visa application fee online.
• Book an Appointment: During the application process, you can schedule an appointment at a visa application centre in your home country.
• Attend the Appointment: Go to the visa application centre on your scheduled date to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) and provide all necessary supporting documents.
• Wait for a Decision: UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will review your application, and you will typically receive a decision within three weeks.

Working on a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa holders can only undertake the specific paid engagement declared in their application. While payment is allowed, this visa is strictly for short-term engagements, and your main place of employment must remain overseas.

Restrictions:

• Work in the UK: You can only take on additional work within the declared engagement.
• Establish a Business: Starting or running a business is not allowed.
• Work for an Organization: You cannot be employed by a UK organization.
• Work Placements or Internships: Undertaking any work placement or internship is prohibited.
• Sell Goods or Services: Selling goods or services in the UK is not permitted.

Visa holders must be employed full-time or part-time in their home country and return to their jobs after engaging in the UK. The Home Office will ensure that this visa is not repeatedly used for temporary employment.

Get Help with PPE Visa Applications

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa offers professionals an excellent opportunity for short-term, paid activities in the UK. Our experienced UK immigration team can make the application process more efficient and smooth. We provide:

• Assessment: We'll evaluate your specific circumstances.
• Step-by-Step Guidance: We’ll advise you on the correct steps to take.
• Document Checks: We'll review the application to ensure the application to ensure it is prepared correctly and the invitation letter meets government requirements.
• Application Preparation: We'll help ensure your application is accurate and well-prepared.

Contact us to simplify the application process for your Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.